In the sterile chill of the morgue, Mathilda Evans, Ethan's mother, stood beside a covered gurney. As the sheet was pulled back, a raw, agonized sob tore from her throat.
"Ethan, my child, my precious son... How could you leave your poor mother alone, how could you leave me?" She burst into tears. "Oh why, oh why God, why did you take him? Oh Ethan, why did you go before me? I'm older, I should go first; you had an entire life in front of you." The doctor at the morgue, who had seen countless moments like this, felt her pain acutely.
Just then, the door opened, and Sarah, in a wheelchair and supported by Chloe, entered hesitantly. Sarah felt it was her duty to see Ethan for the last time, even without memory.
Sarah spoke: "Mrs. Evans, I... I'm sorry."
Mathilda looked up and spat toward her. She then got up, her eyes blazing with fury.
"You!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the silent room. She lunged at Sarah, her hand connecting with a sharp slap across Sarah's face. "You killed him! You killed my son. My only son. You have ripped my heart out of my chest. Oh, why, Ethan..." She fell to the floor, crying and screaming, "How am I supposed to live without you, my son?"
Sarah's eyes were wide with shock and confusion. "I… I don't understand," she stammered, her hand flying to her stinging cheek.
"It's your fault my son is dead!" Mathilda screamed. "You took my son away from me! If it wasn't for you, he would still be alive! He should have left you the moment I told him you weren't worth the trouble! I warned him. But he wouldn't listen... And now he's dead because of you!"
The medical examiner gently intervened, but Mathilda ignored him, returning to her son's lifeless body.
Chloe stood there, finding Sarah's humiliation entertaining. Mathilda's pain and Sarah's confusion felt like a free ticket to a great show.
The slap was painful, but not as painful as the loss of memory. Sarah felt a deep sadness watching Mathilda's grief. I am miserable, but the mother who lost her child is even more miserable than I am, she thought. I wish it was me... I wish I had died instead.
Sarah's mind was a blur. The name "Ethan" echoed, now tainted by accusation. "Maybe it is my fault." The weight of the accusation threatened to crush her.
Chloe wheeled her back to the hospital room. In contrast to Sarah's turmoil, Chloe's mind was calm. That stupid Ethan, he ruined everything. If it weren't for him, Sarah would have married that old man, and she and Caroline would have gotten ten million. She thought about how lucky she was that Sarah was being blamed for Ethan's death, and hoped no one would find out she was involved in the accident. But she still had a plan for their "happy future." As long as she could get rid of Sarah, she would have everything.
Chloe went back home to her mother, Caroline, and recounted the dramatic scene at the morgue. They laughed.
Caroline then took papers out of a drawer and gave them to Chloe. "Make sure she signs this and leaves us the house. Then we can sell it and run away from the debt collector and he can go after Sarah instead."
Chloe interrupted her. "But didn't we say we're going to sell Sarah to Mr. Kang?"
Caroline: "But he's angry at us because we failed to do so last time."
Chloe: "Mom, that was because of Ethan, but now he's dead."
Caroline maliciously smiled. "You're right, he can't rise from the dead to rescue her this time. And she has amnesia, we can do it easier. No need to tie her, just give her two pills and she's going to wake up on Mr. Kang's bed."
Chloe: "Exactly!"
Caroline: "But she's still injured. Nobody wants her in this state. Looking like a cripple in that cast."
Chloe: "We can wait for a few weeks and then do it. It's not like her memory will return by then."
Caroline: "You're right. And if that doesn't work, there's always another option, the black market. Her organs must be worth something."
Chloe smiled, satisfied with her mother. "I'm going back to the hospital now." She started walking, then stopped. "Wait, she asked me to bring her out photo albums."
Caroline rolled her eyes, rummaged through the drawers, and handed her a few photos. "Don't forget her signature."
When Chloe returned to see Sarah, she brought the pictures.
Chloe: "Sarah, how are you feeling?" False sympathy dripped from her voice.
Sarah: "I'm tired..."
Chloe said, "Look, this is our father, William Walker. I brought you photos so you can see; maybe it'll spark your memory." I hope you never regain your memory; that way I'll be able to manipulate you easier, Chloe thought.
Sarah took the photograph. There he was, a good-looking man with a hat on and a radiant smile. Behind him was a car repair shop. He looked happy and was in his early thirties.
Sarah: "What was he like?"
Chloe: "Well, he was busy, always working, until he got sick." Then he became a burden, she thought. Chloe recalled the time she locked nine-year-old Sarah in the classroom, leading to a five-day coma—a secret William never discovered.
Sarah sensed Chloe didn't care much about their father and wondered why.
Sarah: "What was his job?"
Chloe: "He was a mechanic, but he had other jobs too, probably something embarrassing and lame. He spoke about righteousness and honesty, but what was the point of that when he was sweeping the streets and making my mother look bad in front of her friends by being a loser."
Sarah was shocked at the disrespect. How could she say that about their father? No job is embarrassing. Sarah now realized that Caroline and Chloe didn't care about the man who worked several difficult jobs to put food on the table. She observed Chloe and saw no hint of regret or gratitude, only contempt. Even though I don't remember him, I admire the person he was and I'm grateful for everything he's done for our family.
Sarah: "How did he die?"
Chloe: "He had lung cancer, and that was the end of it." She answered while playing games on her phone.
Sarah: "What was my relationship with him like?" she asked while tracing his face with her fingers.
Chloe rolled her eyes internally. You bitch, he loved you more than anything. She then smiled and thought, Look William, you dead man, your beloved daughter doesn't even remember you and she might never remember.
Chloe then remembered the papers. "Could you sign this when you're done?"
Sarah asked, "What is it?"
Chloe said, "Just some papers Mom asked me to deliver so you can sign them."
Sarah took the papers, and Chloe readily offered a pen. Sarah winced as she shifted her body, trying to find an angle to rest the bulky papers on her cast. Chloe, impatient, leaned over. "Oh, just sign it already. It's nothing complicated."
Sarah: "I have to read it first."
Chloe: "I'm your sister; you should trust me and sign it. I've already checked everything."
Nurse Brenda came in and interrupted their conversation.
Nurse Brenda: "How are you feeling, Sarah? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
Sarah subtly gestured toward Chloe, and Brenda understood.
Nurse Brenda: "Excuse me, Miss, but Sarah needs rest now. We need to put her on the IV drip; would you be kind enough to leave." Chloe headed outside but took the papers with her. "I'll come tomorrow morning; you rest now."
Sarah: "Thank you, Brenda."
Nurse Brenda: "You're welcome. Here are your medications; let me pour you a glass of water."
Sarah took the medications and drank a sip of water, saying thank you. Brenda smiled and turned to leave but then stopped, lowering her voice slightly. "Sarah... you should be wary, even of those closest to you. Sometimes people see an opportunity in confusion." She gave a polite smile and left.
Sarah nodded and smiled back. She was grateful to Brenda for her kindness. Everyone can see that Chloe is not a good person... It's not just my gut feeling. Even though I have amnesia, she thought, I'm not a fool to be easily tricked... But what did she want me to sign?